Siena Catholic College

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Siena Catholic College, Queensland, Australia is a co-educational Catholic school situated at Sippy Downs on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Opened in 1997, it caters for students in Years 8-12 and has an enrolment of approximately 750 students which will be capped when the 750 enrolment figures is reached. It shares its 13ha campus with Siena Primary School, a Prep -Year 7 school which will grow to a capped enrolment of 750 students by 2009.

Named after Catherine of Siena, the College aims to educate the whole person: intellectually, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The college badge sums up the ethos that Siena seeks to establish and maintain: PRAYER, CARE and LEARNING. Within this context the school community strives to promote and uphold Christian values and to foster and applaud the talents and potential of each student.

The College is an Archdiocesan College administered by Brisbane Catholic Education and has close links with the Stella Maris Parish

1 Faith and Mission
2 Significant Faces
3 House Involvement
4 Contact Details

[edit] Faith and Mission

Siena Catholic College is a Christ centred community that recognizes human life is a spiritual journey in which all contribute to the enhancement of God’s kingdom on earth. The College strives to be a community that provides support to all to realize their potential. We seek to fulfil our responsibilities to provide the place where the Gospel message is evident and a real way of life.

The aim of the subjects Religious Education, Religion and Ethics and Study of Religion at Siena is to develop student’s religious literacy in the light of the Catholic tradition, so that they may participate critically and effectively in the life of their faith communities and wider society.

At Siena Catholic College the student should achieve:

a knowledge of, and ability to interpret, and the development of an understanding and empathy for the historical, social and cultural contexts of Scriptural texts. a knowledge and understanding of key religious beliefs and practices and the way they assist humans to find meaning in life. a knowledge and understanding of the way God communicates with people, nurturing the community of believers through their participation in prayer and worship. a knowledge and understanding of Catholic teaching about our loving relationship with God, each other and the world through a recognition of the rights of all people.

The range of student experience means a great variety of responses in class and in whole school activities. Students in RE classes are reported by teachers to be interested in topics raised and knowledge gained as shown in the successful completion of assignments demonstrating a maturing religious literacy.

In a parallel development of faith, and in keeping with our College motto of “Prayer, Care and Learning”, students participate in regular prayer opportunities in House Groups each morning, at the start of classes and as part of our regular College Assemblies. A diversely talented group of students are engaged in the preparation for masses both within the College and as part of the Sunday evening Parish masses. Additionally, these students and others assist with the various celebrations of various liturgies for Anzac Day, Siena Day and so on. Also, the school community participates in Community Service activities such as fund raising for Caritas, Relay for Life, 40 Hour Famine, Amnesty International, Rosies and others, demonstrating faith in action and in service to others.

Throughout the year a variety of religious activities, considered a cornerstone of the curriculum are held. These include Retreats for Years 8,9,10 and 12 and a Leadership Retreat for the Year 11’s as they prepare for their final year of secondary schooling as student leaders of the College.

[edit] Significant Faces

Staff

Principal - Mr. Graeme Hight
Deputy Princical - Mr. Mark Thornton
APRE - Mrs. Carmel Hulett
APA (Curriculum) - Mr. Chuck Forzatti
Counsellor - Mr. Peter Cook
Campus Minister - Ms. Donna McDade
Ms. Jade McKenzie - More commonly know as MC. Won an award for worst teacher of the year. The action of "dropping a smock" originated in her Religion and Ethics class.
Mr. Frank Byrnes - More commonly known to the students as 'Frank' or 'Byrnesey'.

Students

Lachlan Yates (2002-2007) - The word 'Smock' was derived from this students excessive use of an oversized shirt.
Christian McKenzie (2003-2008) - Placed second in 2006 Australian Track Championships.
Courtney Langer (2003-2005) - Daughter of Allan Langer, an NRL legend.
Joshua Thorpe (2002-2007) - 6'4" Skin and Bones. Not very smart.
Andrew Doherty (2002-2007) - Bassist of Hungry Daze (formerly The Lemon Rejects and Night Camel).
Liam Kelhear (2002-2007) - Record holder of Most Diary Entries in a Single Week (standing at 22, formerly held by his brother Jay Kelhear at 18).
Brandon Rooney (2002-2007) - Drummer.
Jamie Webb (2005-2009)- Black man

[edit] House Involvement

Students are assigned to a HOUSE

Bernadino (Red) - A saint of the city Siena in Italy.

Catherine (Gold) - The Patron Saint of Siena Catholic College, also a saint of the city Siena in Italy.

MacKillop (Purple) - Mary MacKillop

Ozanam (Green) - Frederic Ozanam, founder of St Vincent de Paulthe best of all

Teresa (Blue) - Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Houses play an important role in the life of the school. A strong inter-House competition exists, based not only on the traditional Swimming, Athletics, Cross Country but on many other student activities organized during the year - Siena Day, Red Faces, Tabloid Sports, Palio Races and lunchtime sports and cultural activities.

Each House is also responsible for a Lenten activity to raise funds for Caritas / Project Compassion.

Each House is divided into six House Groups who meet daily, morning and afternoon, for Administration - roll marking, daily notices etc. These groups comprise students from Years 8 - 12 and enable younger students to form relationships with older students. Students stay with the same House Group for the duration of their time at Siena.